Don Reid

Sometimes, Don Reid wondered why he quit his secure office job at a Memphis textile firm to work at his friend's Ford dealership in Maitland. "If he'd known how close it was to not being successful . . . he probably wouldn't have quit his job and moved his family down here," Reid's son Rusty said Thursday. Donald L. Reid, who in time acquired the dealership that now bears his name, died Wednesday of respiratory failure. He was 73. Reid, a Navy medic during World War II, held several jobs before going to work as comptroller at the textile company.

Georgetown coach John Thompson warned his team during a final timeout about the significance of rebounding a potentially winning shot.He meant on a shot taken by Weber State, but Don Reid took Thompson's advice to the other end Sunday and put in a missed 3-point shot by teammate Allen Iverson to beat the Wildcats, 53-51, in the NCAA Tournament's Southeast Regional.''I said in the beginning one of the things that is necessary to be here is to have luck on your side. We had luck on our side in Don Reid,'' said Thompson, who danced a jig after the buzzer sounded.

In another calculated move to trim salary, the Orlando Magic traded reserve forward/center Don Reid and a future first-round selection to Denver on Thursday for the Nuggets' 2004 second-round pick. On the surface, the deal is peculiar because the Magic gave up so much. But in these frugal times, the Magic valued the space beneath the projected luxury-tax threshold. Reid's $1.1 million salary for next season is gone, which means Ryan Humphrey and Mario Kasun, last month's draft acquisitions, should be on the roster.

In another calculated move to trim salary, the Orlando Magic traded reserve forward/center Don Reid and a future first-round selection to Denver on Thursday for the Nuggets' 2004 second-round pick. On the surface, the deal is peculiar because the Magic gave up so much. But in these frugal times, the Magic valued the space beneath the projected luxury-tax threshold. Reid's $1.1 million salary for next season is gone, which means Ryan Humphrey and Mario Kasun, last month's draft acquisitions, should be on the roster.

JACKSONVILLE -- There is a reason the Orlando Magic started using officials earlier than normal in training camp this year. The risk of bodily harm was becoming too great. A wide-open starting role at power forward was making normally innocent practices look like full-contact football scrimmages around the basket. "We got the refs in earlier than I had planned,'' Magic Coach Doc Rivers said after practice Thursday. "After the first day, I was fearing what might happen.'' With only 16 players in training camp -- the lowest number ever -- and no real extras at the frontcourt positions, Rivers didn't want to wait for any serious injuries with big bodies banging each other recklessly.

This was like unleashing a hungry fox in a chicken coop. Don Reid ate well and smiled when it was over. Reid, the sporadically used forward/center, had a career-high 17 rebounds against the team that discarded him one year and one day ago, allowing the Orlando Magic to easily whip the Detroit Pistons 112-102 Wednesday night. The Magic (33-27) remained in the No. 6 playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, but they can move to No. 5 with a victory tonight in Charlotte against the Hornets.

A year ago, the Orlando Magic were scrambling to fill spots on a stripped-down, unheralded roster. Today, they talk of being contenders in the Eastern Conference. Instead of looking for respect, they are looking to move into the NBA's elite. "Our goal, our job now, will be to move into one of those top three spots in the East,'' said Magic Coach Doc Rivers. "I hope expectations have been raised. Can we win it? I don't know, but I hope we'll be good enough to try.'' The Magic likely will complete their roster today by adding Don Reid, another role-playing power forward/center who hopes to capitalize on Rivers' willingness to play everyone on his roster.

GIMMICK ON BOARD. Don Reid Ford in Maitland is making the most of the third brake light now required on all new cars. The dealer puts a plastic overlay inscribed with the Don Reid name over the light, which is usually found in the rear window of cars. The overlay flashes each time the driver brakes. Gaylon Black, general manager for Don Reid Ford, said the rear-window ad costs about $5 to install.

It was the defense. Of all the wonderful things the Orlando Magic did in Tuesday night's 114-85 season-opening victory against the Toronto Raptors, what made them look so good was their play on the defensive end. The Magic's ability to put a lid on the opponent's basket was also the most promising sign. As Magic swingman Tracy McGrady said, "We know we can score." What you wonder about this team is whether it will have the defensive intensity to match its scoring ability. For one game, the answer was yes, and that's good news with a matchup at Indiana looming Friday.

Don Reid plays the game like a racehorse wearing blinders, blocking out everything but the task before him, which really never changes. His reaction Sunday that he likely will be the starting center for the Orlando Magic Tuesday on opening night drew the same reaction he gives for whatever role he receives each season. A pleasant smile and a shrug. "It doesn't really matter," Reid said matter-of-factly after practice Sunday. "I'll play the same way I always do. I'll prepare the same if I'm starting, coming off the bench, or not playing at all. It doesn't change anything for me. I'll be ready when called upon."

During his month with the Orlando Magic, rookie center Brendan Haywood has yet to escape the feeling he's wearing nylon at a silk convention. "My gut tells me I'm going to be here, but my gut's been wrong before," he said earlier this month before playing in a three-game summer league for rookies, developing players and NBA hopefuls. The Magic acquired Haywood, the No.20 overall pick out of North Carolina, on draft night. They traded veteran center Michael Doleac to Cleveland for Haywood's draft rights.

As of now, the Magic have 17 players on their roster, including seven free agents. When the regular season begins in November, only 15 players -- at the most -- can be on their roster. Here's a breakdown of their situation: Under contract G Darrell Armstrong C Patrick Ewing F Pat Garrity F/C Horace Grant G/F Grant Hill G/F Tracy McGrady G/F Mike Miller F Bo Outlaw Likely to get contracts Dee Brown, G Buzz: He would only cost the veteran's minimum, and he's a good perimeter shooter.

This was like unleashing a hungry fox in a chicken coop. Don Reid ate well and smiled when it was over. Reid, the sporadically used forward/center, had a career-high 17 rebounds against the team that discarded him one year and one day ago, allowing the Orlando Magic to easily whip the Detroit Pistons 112-102 Wednesday night. The Magic (33-27) remained in the No. 6 playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, but they can move to No. 5 with a victory tonight in Charlotte against the Hornets.

Sometimes, Don Reid wondered why he quit his secure office job at a Memphis textile firm to work at his friend's Ford dealership in Maitland. "If he'd known how close it was to not being successful . . . he probably wouldn't have quit his job and moved his family down here," Reid's son Rusty said Thursday. Donald L. Reid, who in time acquired the dealership that now bears his name, died Wednesday of respiratory failure. He was 73. Reid, a Navy medic during World War II, held several jobs before going to work as comptroller at the textile company.

Heather Elaine Reid and Jamison Lawrence Hedges were married April 7 at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, Kissimmee. She is the daughter of Helen and Don Reid, New York. He is the son of Judy and Jerry Hedges, Kissimmee. After a wedding trip to the beach, the couple will live in Kissimmee.

D IS THE KEY Forget Heart & Hustle. Expect the Orlando Magic to adopt a Mass & Muscle theme to their season now that forward Grant Hill won't be back for the rest of the year. Wanting to establish a tougher defensive presence, Magic Coach Doc Rivers inserted Andrew DeClercq into the starting lineup. DeClercq had been an afterthought in the Magic's rotation for most of the season, averaging only 2.4 points in 8.1 minutes a game. "You'll see him now," Rivers said. "He's going to get more minutes, him and Don Reid at that four [power forward]

RECORDS: Magic 1-1, 76ers 2-0. BROADCAST: TV -- WRBW-Channel 65; Radio -- 580 AM (WDBO) in Orlando and in Spanish on 1440 AM (WPRD). 76ERS UPDATE: The Sixers are one of the five or six teams who could move to the top of the East this season. The reasons are Allen Iverson, arguably the most explosive player in basketball, and because they return much of the same team from a season ago. They have good size and toughness up front with Theo Ratliff and Tyrone Hill, a great backcourt with Iverson, and good versatility with Toni Kukoc in reserve.